AEG CEO: Michael Jackson ‘Mercurial’, ‘Impossible To Do Business With’

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The top executive for concert promoter AEG testified Tuesday that Michael Jackson was “mercurial” and “impossible to do business with” as he took the stand for the fifth day in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the late singer’s mother.

After enduring five days of questioning from lead Jackson attorney Brian Panish, AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips was questioned by attorneys defending the entertainment giant.

CBS2’s Randy Paige reports that Phillips was visibly relieved as AEG’s lead attorney Marvin Putnam took over questioning shortly before lunch Tuesday.

Putnam asked about the difficulties Phillips encountered working with the late singer.

“Michael was mercurial,” Phillips testified. “One of the things that made him great and one of the things that made him impossible to do business with.”

“He would change representatives like we change our socks,” Phillips went on to say. “You pretty much needed a scorecard as to who was managing Michael at any given time.”

“Why didn’t you put a stop to that?” Putnam asked. “Could you dictate anybody that he hire?”

“No,” Phillips testified.

Putnam told reporters last week that Jackson attorneys were trying to allege inconsistencies in Phillips’ statements that the documents did not support.

“They very pointedly decided they’re not going to show all of those things because they would like the record to reflect something it doesn’t,” he said.

Katherine Jackson attended morning sessions but did not return in the afternoon.

According to testimony Tuesday, AEG Live will produce a weekend of concerts this summer that will include a performance by The Jacksons.